A couple of arms have caught the attention of Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker as Spring Training rolls on.
Every year, a few on-the-bubble standouts push for a roster spot, and this time, it looks like Grant Holmes and Hector Neris are making their cases according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
Grant Holmes Making His Case for the Rotation
The 27-year-old righty, Grant Holmes, took the mound for four innings against minor league hitters on Wednesday. He is continuing what has been a solid showing so far in camp.
In official Spring Training action, he’s pitched five innings over two appearances, allowing just one earned run (good for a 1.80 ERA), giving up two hits and two walks, and striking out four.
His command? Not perfect, but respectable—60% of his pitches have been strikes. That’s the kind of consistency the Braves would love to see at the back end of the rotation, especially with Spencer Strider sidelined as he recovers from an elbow injury.
Holmes isn’t exactly an unknown commodity. He made his big-league debut last season, appearing in 26 games (including seven starts) and finishing with a respectable 3.56 ERA. As a starter, he posted a 4.01 ERA—not dominant, but certainly good enough to keep the Braves interested.
Right now, it looks like he’s in a battle with Ian Anderson for that final rotation spot. Once Strider is healthy, one of them is likely heading to the bullpen.
Hector Neris Brings Veteran Experience
Then there’s Hector Neris, the veteran reliever who just arrived in the Braves camp after signing on Monday. He hasn’t pitched in a Spring Training game yet, but Snitker likes what he’s seen so far.
And really, it’s not hard to see why. The guy has 11 years of big-league experience, a career 3.33 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.17. He’s been a reliable late-inning arm for years, spending most of his career with the Phillies before splitting last season between the Astros and Cubs, where he posted a 4.10 ERA in 62 appearances.
At 35, Neris isn’t a lock to make the Opening Day roster, but let’s be real—if he looks sharp in the next few weeks, the Braves would be crazy not to consider him. Bullpen depth is always at a premium, and with his track record, he could be a sneaky-good addition.
How the Braves Pitching Picture Is Shaping Up
As Spring Training continues, both Holmes and Neris have a chance to prove their value. Holmes is a frontrunner for a rotation spot, at least until Strider returns, while Neris has a shot at earning a bullpen role if he impresses in camp.
The Braves already have a strong pitching staff, but with roster spots still up for grabs, these two could make things even more interesting in the final weeks before Opening Day.
Keep an eye on them—one or both could play a key role in Atlanta’s 2025 season.
